How Culturally Aware are you?

Japanese often send money to bereaved friends as an expression of sympathy

True False

Armenians and Georgians belong to the same language family

True False

Shaking hands with women is acceptable in Indonesia

True False

Number 4 is considered lucky in Japan

True False

Eating with left hand is taboo in Saudi Arabia

True False

Brazilians usually wear black shoes in the offices

True False

Japanese and Chinese can read each other`s newspapers

True False

White flowers in Japan are given at funerals

True False

Mexicans are supposed to keep their hands on the table during a meal
True False

In Britain you tip your plate away from you when eating soup
True False

Spaniards like to maintain eye contact during conversations

True False

Arabs expect gifts to be opened in front of the giver

True False

Japanese, unlike Chinese, do not mind "losing face"

True False

Germans like deadlines

True False

Muslims can eat Kosher meat

True False
Most Scandinavians start their bargaining with what is in their opinion, the fair price
True False

Lithuanian is a Slavic language

True False

British people drink more than 200 million cups of tea a day
True False

Thailand a pale face is a sign of beauty in a woman

True False

The further South you go in Europe, the more authoritarian the boss is expected to be
True False

Italian executives often come to business meetings in designer sports jackets and flannels
True False

American businessmen dislike detailed written contracts

True False

In India holy men usually wear white

True False

The thumbs up sign means ‘OK’ in Argentina

True False

All Arabs are Muslims

True False

Eating with your hands is rude in Malaysia

True False

Cross Cultural Quiz 3

1. There are three of you interviewing an Afghani man for a position in your company. Of
the interviewers, two of you are women. The interviewee only ever gives eye contact to
the man and never to the women. This is because:
He is nervous around women
He is showing respect to the women

2. In Spain, the main purpose of a business meeting would be to:

Make decisions by discussing in the length the pro’s and con’s of an issue
Reach agreements by consensus
Brief the team on a decisions already taken

3. You asking a question of a junior Japanese colleague and he/she looks down and
answers you. He/she :
Has something to hide and is looking for answer to cover their back
Is paying your respect

4. Your German colleague says about a proposal you have put together, “no offense, but
this idea is ridiculous.” He/she :
is merely expressing their opinion and means no harm
is being blunt and has no etiquette
is being rude to undermine your position

5. You are making a proposal to a group of Japanese executives when you notice a few of
them sat with their arms folded and eyes closed. They are:
Listening intently
Tired and catching up on some sleep
Pretending to be asleep to show you that they think your presentation is poor

6. A potential Mexican client arrives 45 minutes late for a business meeting. He/she:
Has arrived late on purpose to show that they are the party in the driving seat
Has simply arrived late as punctuality is taken lightly in Mexico
Has arrived late to let you enjoy your surroundings before discussing business

7. During a break for a meeting between you and a group of Saudis, you walk into the
men’s room to find a few of them washing their feet in the sink. You think:
They must have had smelly feet
They are simply freshening themselves up
Are preparing to read their prayers

8. You are beginning negotiations with a Chinese company. From the start of the meeting
the Chinese team show great humility and deference. You should think:
Such behaviour is a ploy designed to gain concessions
Such behaviour is just the way Chinese people are
Such behaviour shows these negotiations will be easy

9. While in South Korea, you present a gift to a new client to thank him for his hospitality
and to cement your business relationship. He/she refuses to accept the gift. You should:
Apologise for offending him/her
Insist he/she takes it until it is accepted
Offer it to someone else from his/her company

10. You are the new manager in an Indian office. You ask one of your supervisors to
move a desk and place it in another corner of the office. The next day you notice it has
not yet been done. Why?
The supervisor was offended you asked him/her and refused to do anything about it
The supervisor could not find a labourer to move it and would not do so him/herself
Because things get done slowly in India
Cross Cultural Quiz - Gestures

1. In Belarus, when someone pokes their thumb between their forefinger and middle
finger it means...
You have been beaten (i.e. in negotiations)
You will get nothing
Go away

2. In Bolivia you are waiting for a bus and when it arrives the driver gives you the "so-
so" gesture (twisting the flat, open hand). This means...
There may be room if you give me a tip
Get on
The bus is full

3. How should one point in China?

With a closed fist
With an open hand
With the thumb

4.When an Arab brings the tips of all fingers and thumb together and bobs the hand up
and down, this means...
Calm down
I am waiting
Hurry up

5.If you make the "V" for victory sign in the UK, you must do so with the palm...
Facing outwards
Facing inwards

6.A toss of the head in Finland means...

No
Come here

7.In Honduras, a finger placed below the eye means...

I am watching you
I disagree
Show caution

8.The "OK" gesture (thumb and forefinger curled in an O) means what in Japan?
Slow down
Money

9.To indicate someone is miserly, the Dutch would..

Slap their elbow
Glide the forefinger down the nose
Make a fist

10. When a Pole flicks their finger against the neck it means..
You're dead
Join me for a drink
Don't test may patience
Cross Cultural Quiz - Gift Giving

1. In Belguim when should gifts be given to a host?

After the meal
Before the meal
During the meal

2. In Bolivia what colour flowers would make a poor choice for a gift?
White
Red
Yellow

3. Why would you not give a Brazilian a knife for a gift?

It represents the cutting off of a head
It represents the cutting off of a relationship
It represents the desire to marry the recipient's daughter

4.When giving or receiving a gift in China, you should so do using...

Both hands
The right hand
The left hand

5.What colour would you suggest wrapping a gift in for a client in India?
Green
White
Black

6.Gifts are opened in front of the giver in Indonesia.

True
False

7.Which of these gifts is the most appropriate for a Saudi business associate?
Gold watch
Silk tie
Silver pen

8.In Japan gifts are considered bribes.

False
True

9.If invited to a house for dinner in Turkey, which of these would you take?
Money
Pastries
Whiskey
10. Reciprocal gifts in South Korea should always be..
More expensive
Equal worth
Cheaper